Signal mechanism and the like.



APPLICATION FILED AUG.2I, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENTOR Henry 5. Lyme WITNESSES J05 ATTORNEY H. S. LYCOE.

SIGNAL MECHANISM AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.2I, 1915.

Patented Dec. 19, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR Jib 12:7 Q5. Lycoe Y E N R O T T A m H. S. LYCOE.

SIGNAL MECHANISM ANDTHE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.2I. 1915.

Patented Dec. 19,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOR Jiznry C0! WITNESSES H. S. LYCOE.

SlGNAL MECHANISM AND'THE LI KE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.2I. I915.

Patented Dec. 19, 1916.

4 SHEETS'SHEET 4.

INVENTOR WITNESSES I/s ATTORNEY HENRY S. LYGOE, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

SIGNAL MECHANISM AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patfl-fllted D 19, 19116,

Application filed August 21, 1915. Serial No. 46,716.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY S. LYcoE, a citlzen of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal Mechanisms and the like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in signaling or indicating mechanisms and more particularly to that class adapted to be used for signaling to an attendant at the rear of a darkened theater or auditorium, the number of vacant seats to be had at certain places in the theater.

My prime object is to form numeral indices through a disk or other object and place an illumination in the rear of the indices whereby the outline of any particular numeral will be shown when moved in front of the light.

A further object is to provide means for rotating or moving the ob]ect containing the indices and simultaneously flashing the light when the desired numeral has been moved to register'with the light.

A further object is to provide means for positively regulating the movement of the indices carrying disk in one direction.

A further object is to provide means for automatically returning the disk to its initial position, and a further object is to provide means whereby access may be had through the disk for removing or inserting an electric bulb or other lighting mechanism. j

Other objects and advantages willbe hereinafter more fully set forth and pointed out in the accompanying specification.

In the accompanying drawings which are -a part of this application, Figure 1, is a side elevation of the signaling device showing a part broken away. Fig. 2, is a fragmental detail front elevation thereof. Fig. 3, is a top plan view with parts thereof in v section. Fig. 4, is a fragmental front elevationpf a portion of the indices carrying disk. Fig. 5, is a detail sectional view of a portion of the disk shifting mechanism. Fig. 6, is a front view of the lens of the light containing reflector. Fig. 7 is a sectional View thereof.

Fig. 8, is a detail rear elevation of a leveremployed for shifting the disk and causing the light to flash. Fig. 9, is a side elevation thereof, showing various positions of parts thereof by dotted lines. Fig. 10, is an elevation of the indicator, showing a modified form of the device for operating the disk, partly broken away.

Referring to the drawings in which similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, 1 indicates a tubular body or casing which is adapted to receive any suitable form of battery or light producing device, preferably a dry cell 2. The upper end of the cell is connected to an incandescent bulb 3, which is introduced into a suitable socket 4, at the upper end of the body 1, and to intensify the light created by the bulb, a reflector 5 is placed around the bulb, the flared end of the reflector being covered by a transparent plate 6, preferably of glass. The plate 6 is provided with a binding ring 7, one portion of which has a hinge 8, whereby the plate may be moved laterally to gain access to the bulb, the plate being normally held in its closed position by means of a catch 9.

Attached to the body 1 is a bracket 10, to which is fixed a shaft 11, the outer end of said shaft having a dial 12 mounted thereon, the peripheral edge of the dial having an inwardly extending flange 13, in which is positioned a disk 14, said disk being rotatably mounted upon the shaft 11. The dial 12 is held stationary by extending the brace arms 15, from the flange 13, to parts of the body 1, and the upper portion of the dial is provided with an opening 16, which registers with the open end of the reflector 5, so that the light from the bulb 3 will show through the opening 16.

The disk '14 is provided with a plurality of indices, indicated by numerals 17, and being formed by cutting through the disk the outlines of the numeral. In this particular instance but four numerals are shown, but it will be understood that this number may be increased or decreased as desired, each numeral preferably being of a height equal to the diameter of the opening 16, so that when the numerals are registered with theopening and the light flashed, the

outline of the numeral will be shown.

Attached .to the disk 14, and surrounding the shaft 11, is a sleeve 18, the exterior sur face of which is provided with a spiral channel 19, and 'coiiperating with said channel are rollers 20, carried by a movable frame 21, so that, as the said frame is moved "longitudinally of the sleeve, the disk 14 will be rotated. The frame 21 is attached at its ends to rods 22, which rods extend trans-- versely through openings in the ends of the bracket 10, and are connected at their oppothe exterior of the .body

23, and has a contact member 26, slidably mounted thereon and provided with the thumb piece 32, contact member 26 being adapted to be engaged with any one of contact points 27 28, 29, or 30, mounted upon 1, and connected in any suitable mannerto the cell 2, the upper end of the lever being in circuit w1th the I bulb 3. The contact member 26 is provided with a thumb piece32 to facilitate'the movement thereof. The contact points 27, 28, 29, and 30 are stepped with relation to each other and serve to regulate the rotation of the disk 14, in one direction, the member 26 being held in position to engage. any desired contact point by ,;providing notches 31, in

one face of the lever with which cooperates detent 39, secured to one end of a spring 33, the opposite end of the spring being secured to the member 26.

In this form of device the rods .22 extend exteriorlyof the body 1, and springs 34 are placed around the rods between the bracket 10, and cross head 23, which serve to return the lever 24 to its initial outward osition, and the disk 14 to its initial position; but

in Fig. 10, of the drawings, the rods 35 and springs 36 are extended transversely through the upper end of the body 1, and the inner ends thereof are secured to a collar 37 instead of the frame 21.

This device is designed primarily for use in moving picture theaters or where there are no reserved seats and the performance is repeated, and to this end the usher earnesthe indicator through the aisle of the theater and signals the attendant or patrons stand-. ing at the rear, how many seats are vacant, .so that the proper number of patrons may be permitted to enter the aisle and proceed to the seats. Supposing there is but one-seat vacant, the usher moves the contact member 26 to a point upon the lever 24, so that when the end of the lever is depressed the contact member will engage the contact point 27, and said contact point is so situated that the disk 14 will be rotated sufiiciently to bring the numeral 1 into registration with the opening 16. As the lever 24 and contact points 27 28,29 and 30 are in the circuit between one pole of the cell and the bulb the circuit will be broken until the lever is brought into contact with one of the contact points and as the lever engages the contact point, simultaneously with bringing the numeral before the bulb, the light will illuminate the opening through the disk. When there are two seats vacant the contact member is moved into position to engage the contact. point 28, and. the lever then depressed,

which will move the disk to the position in Fig. 2, exposing the outlines of the numeral 2, the same operation being performed for the other numerals.

'The positioning of the contact members is readily accomplished by the snapping of the detent into the notches and by remembering the numeral last exhibited, no trouble will be encountered in moving the contact member to any desired position by counting the number of notches as the member is moved in either direction. As an illustration, supposingthe contact member be positioned to show the numeral 1 and it is desired to exhibit the numeral 4,. the contact member is moved lengthwise of the lever until the detent has engaged the fourth notch, which will position the member to engage the contact point 30, whereby the disk will be rotated to bring the numeral'4 into position over the light, when the lever is depressed its full distance.

As best .shown in Figs. 2 and 4, of the drawings, a portion of the disk forming the numeral 3 is made in a separate piece 38, Which is-pivoted to the disk 14, so that it can be swung over the face of the disk, as shown in Fig. 4, whereby ready access may be had to the bulb 3, for removing or renewing the same, thus avoiding the necessity of removing any parts of the device for this purpose.

Whilein the foregoing description, and in the accompanying.v drawings, the indices 17 of the disk 14, are described and illus trated as being numerals, it is to be understood that various forms of indices can be used, such as letters, words, etc., in connection with this device, and that changes and modifications may be resorted to, which come within the scope of the appended claims. 7

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim 'as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A signaling device comprising a casing carrying means to provide a source of electrical energy, an illuminating device carried by said casing, circuit forming elerestoring said disk to normal position and ments carried by said casing and associated with said illuminating device, one of said elements consisting of stepped contacts, a revoluble disk supported from said casing and having a plurality of indices for the passage of light rays from said illuminating device, an operating mechanism supported by said casing for revolving said disk, a manually shifted circuit closing lever element electrically connected with said device and adaptedwhen shifted in one direction to actuate said mechanism to revolve said disk and further associated with said stepped contacts for limiting the movement of the disk to a position with one of the indices in front of the illuminating device and to close the circuit to illuminate said device.

2. A signalingdevice comprising a casing carrying means to provide a source of electrical energy, an illuminating device carried by said casingfcircuit forming elements carried by said casing and associated with said illuminating device, one of said elements consisting of stepped contacts, a revoluble disk supported from said casing and having a plurality of indices for the passage of light rays from said illuminating device, an operating mechanism supported by said casing for revolving said disk, a manually shifted circuit closing lever .element electrically connected with said device and adapted when shifted in one direction to actuate said mechanism to revolve said disk and further associated with said stepped contacts for limiting the movement of the disk to a position with one of the indices in front of the illuminating device and to closethe circuit to illuminate said device, said lever element including a shiftable member capable of being positioned to engage any one of the contacts to close the circuit.

3. A signaling device comprising a casing carrying means to provide a source of electrical energy, an illuminating device carried by said casing, circuit forming elements carried by said casing and associated with said illuminating device, one of said elements consisting vof stepped contacts, a revoluble disk supported from said casing and having a plurality of indices for the passage of light rays from said illuminating device, an operating mechanism supported by said casing for revolving saidrdisk, a manually shifted circuit closing element electrically connected with said device and adapted when shifted in one direction to actuate said mechanism to revolve said disk and further associated with said stepped contacts for limiting the movment of the disk to a position with one of the indices in front of the illuminating device to close the circuit to illuminate said device, said mechanism including means for a plurality of indices for the passage of light rays from said illuminating device, an operating mechanism supported by said casing for revolving saiddisk, a manually'shifted circuit closing lever element electrically connected with said device and adapted when shifted in one direction to actuate said mechanism to revolve said disk and further associated with said stepped contacts for limiting the movement of the disk to a position with one of the indices in front of the illuminating device and to close the circuit to illuminate said device, said lever element including a shiftable member capable of being positioned to engage any one of the contacts to close the circuit, said mechanism including means for restoring said disk to normal position and said lever element to inoperative position when pressure upon the lever element is relieved.

5. A signaling device comprising a casing carrying means to provide a source of electrical energy, an illuminating device carried by said casing, circuit forming elements carried by said casing and associated with said illuminating device, one of said elements consisting of stepped contacts, a revoluble disk supported from said casing and having a plurality of indices for the passage of light rays from said illuminating device, a spring controlled operating mechanism supported by said casing for revolving said disk, a manually shifted circuit closing lever element electrically connected with said device and adapted when shifted in one direction to actuate said mechanism to revolve said disk and further associated with said stepped contacts for limiting the movement of the disk to a position with one of the indices in front of the illuminating device and to close the circuit to illuminate said device.

6. A signaling device comprising a casing carrying means to provide a source of electrical energy, an illuminating device carried by said casing, circuit forming elements carried by said casing and associated with said illuminating device, one of said elements consisting of stepped contacts, a revoluble disk supported from said casing and having a plurality of indices for the passage of light rays from said illuminating dance, a spring controlled operating mechanism supported by said casing for revolving said disk, a manually shifted circuit closing lever element electrically connected with said device and adapted when shifted in one direction to actuate said mechanism to revolve said disk and further associated with said stepped contacts for limiting the movement of the disk to aposition with one of the indices in front of the illuminating device and to close the circuit to illuminate said 10 device, said lever element including a shiftable member capable of being positioned to engage any of the contacts to close the circuit.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

HENRY S. LYCOE.

Witnesses:

J AS. R. SNYDER, Jmmm Jonas. 

